The film “Priscilla” is a biographical drama based on Priscilla Presley and Sandra Harmon’s 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me.” Sofia Coppola co-wrote and directed the film. It stars Cailee Spaeny, renowned for her performance in ‘Pacific Rim Uprising,’ as Priscilla Beaulieu, a young adolescent girl who encounters the iconic rock-and-roll star Elvis Presley at a party. As they get to know each other, Priscilla discovers the true man beneath Elvis’s beautiful appearance. Beyond his lively stage appearance, Elvis is portrayed as a vulnerable best friend, an intriguing crush, and a supporting partner to Priscilla.
The movie reveals the hidden side of Elvis and Priscilla’s loving but turbulent relationship, all through Priscilla’s eyes. Alongside Cailee Spaeny, the movie also features strong performances from other actors like Jacob Elordi, Dagmara Domińczyk, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Luke Humphrey, and Lynne Griffin. As the story follows the couple’s journey, it takes viewers back to the rock-and-roll era, especially highlighting the life of Elvis Presley and his famous house, Graceland.
Where was “Priscilla” Filmed?
‘Priscilla’ was entirely filmed in Ontario, mainly in Toronto and Mississauga. According to reports, the filming started in late October 2022 and finished in mid-December of the same year, taking about six weeks to complete. The production also required costume-accurate pieces, similar to Sofia Coppola’s previous period movies.
Toronto, Ontario
A large part of ‘Priscilla’ was filmed in and around Toronto, the capital city of Ontario. The scenes that were set in and around Elvis’ famous home, Graceland, were mostly shot in Toronto. Sofia Coppola and her team built several sets in the city to recreate Graceland. They even made the living room to scale, but they made the ceiling a bit taller because actor Jacob Elordi, who played Elvis, is very tall.
Coppola spoke with ABC News in late October 2023 about her experience shooting on the set of ‘Priscilla.’ She stated, “They were really building everything there, and it was really fun to work on a stage, almost like an old Hollywood studio, where the costume department was next to the props and the art department was building the Graceland gates.” “It’s like movie magic.”
The Graceland set became more than just a filming location. The cast and crew also used it for various functions. Coppola and her children, for example, celebrated her daughter’s 16th birthday one night in the Graceland set’s dining room. When filming wrapped, the entire team celebrated with champagne on the Graceland set’s living room.
Toronto is located along Lake Ontario’s northwestern shore. The city is well-known for its world-class talent, which includes actors, makeup artists, designers, animators, and authors. This makes Toronto a desirable destination for filmmakers. The city’s large and diversified nature also contributes significantly to its popularity as a location for various productions. Many movies and television shows have been filmed in Toronto, including ‘Spotlight,’ ‘Molly’s Game,’ ‘Cinderella Man,’ ‘Gotti,’ and ‘Alias Grace.’
Mississauga, Ontario
Some scenes from ‘Priscilla’ were also filmed in Mississauga, often known as Toronto Township, on Lake Ontario’s western side. For example, the filming crew chose the well-known Scooters Roller Palace at 2105 Royal Windsor Drive in Mississauga. The 24,500-square-foot facility has an indoor roller skating rink with a terrazzo skating surface. Other attractions include an arcade, private party rooms, table soccer, air hockey, and more.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Priscilla
Q: Where was Priscilla filmed?
A: Priscilla was filmed entirely in Ontario, Canada. The main filming locations were in Toronto and Mississauga, where various sets were constructed to recreate iconic places like Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
Q: When did the filming of Priscilla take place?
A: Filming for Priscilla began in late October 2022 and wrapped up in mid-December 2022. The entire filming process took about six weeks to complete.
Q: What are some of the key filming locations in Priscilla?
A: Some key filming locations for Priscilla include Toronto, where much of the Graceland scenes were shot, and Mississauga, where scenes were filmed at Scooters Roller Palace, a popular roller skating rink.
Q: When was Priscilla released?
A: Priscilla was released in select theaters in the United States by A24 on October 27, 2023, before expanding to a wider release on November 3, 2023.
Q: Why was Ontario, Canada, chosen as the filming location for Priscilla?
A: Ontario, particularly Toronto, is a popular location for filmmakers due to its talented professionals, diverse landscapes, and well-equipped studios. These factors made it an ideal choice for recreating the world of Elvis Presley and Priscilla in the movie.
